Pixies men, Garbage, George Clinton play benefit show

Garbage, The Martinis (featuring Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering), and surprise guests Crowded House as well as funk legend George Clinton played a sold-out benefit show for drummer Wally Ingram in Los Angeles last night (January 31).

Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams and Keb’ Mo’ also joined in on the fun, performing brief sets during the four-hour all-star benefit at the Alex Theatre to raise money for Ingram’s medical bills.

Ingram, a renowned percussionist who has played with most of the aforementioned artists, has been battling throat cancer.

Despite his weakened condition, Ingram sat in on percussion for several artists including Raitt, Crowded House, and Crow, who dubbed him the world’s most “bad-ass drummer.”

The evening was filled with highlights, including a rousing set by Garbage led by a fiery-haired Shirley Manson and backed by a string quartet.

Clinton, another surprise guest, joined Crow on stage for a funked-up version of her song ‘Every Day Is A Winding Road’.

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And Raitt, who played guitar for Browne and Crow, got a standing ovation for belting out her hit ‘Thing Called Love’.

At the end of the show, the diverse factions came together for a rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’ – a spectacular grand finale, despite a few sound problems.

After the show, Santiago told NME.COM that his Pixies side project, The Martinis, played their first show in six years to help out their friend. “We did it all for Wally,” Santiago said. “It was so good to see Wally up there playing. And it was crazy to see George Clinton!” he added.

Following nearly three hours of drumming, a sweat-drenched, beaming Ingram told NME.COM, “I feel like a guy who went through hell, but now I’m in heaven.”